Billboard Analysis Sept October 2008Billboard Analysis Sept October 2008Ciara EditionCiara EditionCover No.3Cover No.3

Background and Target Audience

Billboard is a devoted to the music industry and all its genres. As one of the oldest trade magazines in the world It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis. The two most notable charts are the Billboard Hot 100, which ranks the top 100 songs regardless of genre and is based on physical sales, digital sales and radio airplay; and the Billboard 200, the corresponding chart for album sales.

Billboard magazine is published weekly and the first issue was published in 1894. Published by the American entertainment publishing company Prometheus Global Media, it attracts more than 4 million visitors each month in more than 100 countries. Billboard.com's readers rely on the site for music news, videos, charts and more. magazine is of a high price at£5.50 in the UK, however this high price maybe due to the magazine been imported from the U.S. and quality features.

In 2008 achieved a circulation of 18,385. The target audience of "Billboard is primarily the U.S.

Refer to : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)

Front Cover AnalysisThe Masthead- this is the name of the magazine. This magazine is called ‘Billboard’. Unlike other magazine publications the masthead isn’t incorporated into the house style and so the masthead remains the same from issue to issue. This allows the magazine to be easily identified without any confusion. Billboard magazine fills the characters, b, o, a and d with the colours red, pink, blue and yellow; this allows the masthead to flexible with each issue and artist/layout of each months issue. The use of a variety of colours is a denotation of Billboard as a magazine as it covers a range on entertainment (eg. Film, television and music) and combines them into one magazine.

Main Image – The main image is of singer Rihanna. Her music crosses from R&B/Pop/Rock/Hip-Hop, the use of her on Billboard directly links to Billboard as a magazine as like Rihanna it doesn’t conform to one style. The use of this allows an audience with a wider range of preferences to access Billboard as it doesn’t stick to one specific genre. This image of Rihanna shows her leaning over slightly revealing one of her nine tattoos and in a nude coloured cami-top with Red hair and lipstick. She poses mysteriously and seductively, this greatly links to the pull quote “My fans don’t really know who I am” this would suggest that in this interview she will reveal who she is and Billboard is in possession of this information. This automatically grabs readers attention and a desire for them to know more.

BARCODE/DATE ISSUE/PRICE – This is conventional and is displayed on every magazine.

Rule of Thirds – This allows the magazine to look professional and helps keep the images, and cover lines within a good distance of each other and presented well on the page.

The Background – The background is very dark and a small amount of light reveals surrounding leaves, this is a large medium shot and with the largest amount of life being Rihanna it puts her in the spotlight and focus area. This prime position and use of light shows her importance and so any Mise –en-scene would be remain background and it looses it relevance; it simples adds to the mood of this specific shoot. Images of people being in gardens usually connotates peace, this would link to the pull quote “My fans don’t really who I am”. With the impression given that she clearly knows who she is as an artist and person readers would assume she would be willing to share as in the peaceful place she is no longer reluctant to let go and people see who she ‘really’ is.

Cover Lines – The cover lines are arranged with titles which have been highlighted and information following it placed underneath. The highlighted titles of the cover lines match Rihanna’s top and create a house style from the image and text.The spacing between each and use of highlighted titles gives a funky flare to the front cover and allow each to be easily identified.

Header – The use of a header promotes the other features within Billboard magazine. Referring to Billboard as a ‘Film and TV Music conference ‘ links to what conferences are typically associated with (important meetings, where private information is discussed by familiar companies. The denotation of this would be Billboard being one company and sharing information with readers – and like a companies there is a relationship and familiarity between the two allowing in-depth conversation.

Main Cover Line – This cover line connotates the main image of Rihanna which reveals her newly transformation as she now how big and bright red hair. This interests the audience as the want to know what’s new and often the reason for chance. The image itself would draw attention but to reinforce that is something new the main cover line almost present Rihanna as if it is being officially revealed by them, and only Billboard readers would be available to the unveiling of a reinvented Rihanna.

The Pull Quote – This is something which automatically grab readers attention as the public would believe they know Rihanna following past publicity. To reveal that “My Fans don’t really know who i am” suggests she discloses this information with Billboard and only with the magazine will the audience know who she is. Readers love to know they have access to exclusive information and this pull quote is at the heart of an article which would interest not only existing Rihanna fans but other readers.

Contents Page AnalysisThe Masthead – The masthead titled Billboard remains the same as it was on the front cover this allows the magazine’s consistency to flow from page to page. This masthead however differs from the one on the front cover as it relatively smaller this allows the following content features to be the focal point of the page, this includedes the title, images and contents list.

The Charts List – The chart list gives the audience an update of what is current and doing will in the magazine’s very own chart.The singles and artists are categorized by colours so readers can easily distinguish the chart number the artist/song is at. This makes the chart much easier to read as it is a lot of information in one small area.

The Images – These images consist of featured artists also found through the issue of Billboard this gives an insight into what can be found in the magazine. This grabs the attention of readers as they see what other information the magazine has to offer. The use of these images not only promote the artist as they have they have a place in the magazine but the magazine as it means the magazine’s content is varied covering a range of artists; this attracting a broad audience.

The Contents List – The contents list consists of subheadings which categories the content found in the magazine. With the page number and caption in black text and the title in blue there is a clear distinction between the information and so each is easily identified and against the white background stand out greatly.

The Background – this is greatly white besides the charts list which is grey. The two colours allows there to be a distinct separation in the two features (e.g., Chart List and Contents List). The white background behind the smaller images, main image and two lists of information allows each to stand out and gives a fresh yet edgy look.

The Main Image – this main image is that of singer Keri Hilson a R&B singer. Although she isn’t the focal point of this issue as shown on the front cover she remains significant to this issue of Billboard. This image of her is very edgy and she wears a grey dress with a short black bob, works well against the colours on the page, (white, black, grey and blue) and upholds the content page’s house style.

The House Style – the colours, white, black and blue edgy and fresh promote the magazine features without it appearing over-crowed.

The Second List – This second list entails the features promoted on the front cover. The separation of this helps readers easily navigate through the magazine and avoids time wasting for those looking to find articles on the front cover.

Double Page Analysis

Main Image – The main image of Rihanna is one taken from her at a show posing on a large pink tank truck. This shows the power, strength she has gained following personal events and her current domination of the charts. This is a fun image, and as it isn’t one posed for a photo shoot it makes it that much more personal and gives readers a deeper insight into the singer. This image of her in the moment on stage clearly enjoying herself lets readers know she truly is enjoying herself following the release of her album ‘LOUD’. Dressed in a funky army style bodice she is remains feminine/sensual however appealing to both males and females as sits on a pink truck and the Mickey mouse ear helmet shows she isn’t afraid to loosen up and be goofy. This also helps break the perception that celebrities are very reserved, instead this highlight the fact she is human and like anyone else she enjoys having fun and that she is after all only 23yrs old.

The Layout and Text –This layout and text makes use of the Rule of Third as each third consists of a column of text. With text around pull quotes and images this adds diversity to the page and keeps an interest in the article.

The Maine Headline- The main headline unlike others found in other double page spreads has its own page and consist of large text. This separates the headline from the article and gives the article an introduction resembling ones found in books. This breaks the stereotypical features of a magazine and gives the magazine its own edge.

The House style – this consists of the colours black, white and pink this remains girly however edgy. This dennotates Rihanna’s current dress sense and image at the moment as she promotes her ‘no fear’ attitude and the power of women.

The Smaller Images – these images are that of Rihanna at other events and similar to the main image doesn’t resemble a picture taken at a photo shoot, this helps promote her as a person and for the readers to appreciate her on a personal level. This personal touch is a selling point for the article as readers enjoy exclusive information.

Songs List – This feature of ‘Billboard’ magazine’s isn’t a typical one found in double page spreads however this does relate to the magazine as ‘Billboard’ do sell themselves as the magazine which charts songs/albums regularly and updates these constantly depending on sales/play figures. This feature promotes Rihanna’s songs and shows her success since her debut single ‘Pon De Replay’.